Gertrude
Now that we are alone, do you know why I have summoned your father?  It
is in order to tell him the name and family of Ferdinand.

Pauline Madame, what are you going to do?  My father, as soon as he learns that the son of General Marcandal has won the love of his daughter, will get to Havre as quickly as Ferdinand does.  He will come up with him, and then—­

Gertrude I would sooner see Ferdinand dead than united to any one but myself, especially when I feel in my heart as much hatred for that other one as I have love for him.  Such is my final word in our mortal duel.

Pauline Madame, I am now at your feet, as you but now were at mine.  Let us slay each other if you like, but let us not murder him!  Let his life be spared, though it be at the cost of mine!

Gertrude
Will you give him up?

Pauline
I will, madame.

Gertrude (she lets her handkerchief fall in the excitement of her passionate speech) You are deceiving me!  You tell me this, because he loves you, because he has already insulted me by avowing it, and because you believe that he will not love me any longer.  Now this will not do, Pauline, you must give me some pledge of your sincerity.

Pauline (aside) Her handkerchief!  Ah!  I see with it the key of her desk.  It is there that the poison is locked up! (Aloud) Did you say pledges of my sincerity?  I will give them to you.  What do you demand?

Gertrude Really, I do not care for more than one proof that you mean what you say, and that is, that you should marry the other suitor.

Pauline
I will marry him.

Gertrude
And you must, at this very moment, plight your troth with him.

Pauline
Go to him yourself, madame, and tell him; and then come here with my
father, and—­

Gertrude
And what?

Pauline
And I will give him my word; even though this be to give away my life.

Gertrude (aside) In what a tone she uttered that.  With what resolution!  And without tears—­I feel sure she is keeping something back! (Aloud) And so you are quite resigned to this?

Pauline
I am.

Gertrude (aside)
I hope she is. (To Pauline) If you are sincere—­

Pauline
You are mendacity itself, and you always see a lie in other’s
words—­Oh!  Leave me, madame, you make me shudder.

Gertrude (aside) Well, she is candid at any rate. (Aloud) I am going to tell Ferdinand of your resolution—­(Pauline nods in acquiescence.) But he will not believe me.  Suppose you write a word to him?

Pauline
Yes, I will write to him, and tell him not to go away. (Sits down and
writes.) Here is the letter, madame.

Gertrude (reads) “I am going to marry M. de Rimonville—­so that you may remain here.  Pauline.” (Aside) I do not quite understand this—­I fear that there is some trick in it.  I am going to let him leave; he will learn of the marriage when he is far away from this.